A week ago, the Chicago Bears made national headlines by benching quarterback Jay Cutler. The move was temporary after the Bears announed his replacement, Jimmy Clausen, sustained a concussion that will keep him out of Week 17, according to the team's official Twitter account.
Jay Cutler to start for Bears after Jimmy Clausen suffers concussion
Clausen sustained the injury Sunday on a helmet-to-helmet hit from Ziggy Ansah.
This past weekend against the Detroit Lions, Clausen made his first start in four years. Running a watered down version of the Bears offense, he went 23 of 39 for 181 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. Though the Bears would ultimately lose 20-14, Clausen provided surprisingly decent play, giving head coach Marc Trestman at least some cover for the controversial decision to make a change at quarterback.
However, with just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Detroit defensive end Ziggy Ansah nailed Clausen in the head while the quarterback was sliding. Clausen popped up after the hit and confronted Ansah, but the two were separated.
With Clausen out, Cutler will return to the starting lineup. Trestman explained the decision by arguing, "Jay gives us the best chance this week, so that's why he'll be up."
The hit on Clausen wasn't the only dirty play committed by the Lions. Center Dominic Raiola stomped on the ankle of Chicago defensive tackle Ego Ferguson. Though Ferguson was not seriously hurt, the act is expected to keep Raiola out of the team's division-deciding game against the Green Bay Packers.
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